How South Side made Pittsburgh a glass act

Zappala To Face Dugan in DA Race, Again

Allegheny County District Attorney incumbent Stephen A. Zappala Jr. formally accepted a write-in nomination to run as the Republican candidate. He'll face Democratic challenger Matt Dugan in a rematch this fall. [90.5 WESA]

Calls for PPS To Address Racial Disparity

Parents and advocates joined the ACLU this week asking Pittsburgh Public Schools to stop disciplining students with summary citations, which are often used in Pennsylvania for low-level infractions like disorderly conduct. Recent ACLU data show 90 district students were cited during the 2021-2022 school year, and of those, 89% identified as Black. [TribLIVE]

• 🎧 More on this: Listen to our episode where ACLU Pennsylvania community advocate Ghadah Makoshi talks about how students — especially Black girls — in Allegheny County schools are more likely to be arrested than students anywhere else in the commonwealth. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

3 Months Until the Puck Drops in Pittsburgh

The NHL Draft kicks off in Nashville today, and the free-agent signing period starts Saturday. The Penguins finalized their pre-season schedule with all the usual suspects: Detroit, Columbus, and Buffalo — and one of the new split-squad games where half of the team plays in the afternoon and the other half plays at night, usually both without the big stars. But there’s one unusual game: the Nova Scotia Showdown will be played 10 miles from Sidney Crosby’s hometown, Cole Harbor, so it’s expected he’ll go home and support his boys.

• Bonus: Kris Letang was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy this week for his strength, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game. Letang persevered through his second stroke and the loss of his father last year. [NHL / Pittsburgh Hockey Now]

Pittsburghers are known for being “lifers,” but that doesn’t mean that transplants can’t bleed black and gold, too. This summer, our City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris is celebrating a whole decade of calling Pittsburgh home. It got us thinking: What are those quintessential Pittsburgh experiences that you have to check off your list in order to feel like a real yinzer?

Is it eating pierogi made by Polish grandmas in a church basement? How about having the courage to make (or take?) that Pittsburgh left? Maybe it’s feeling too old to hang out on the South Side on a Friday night? (Yes, looking at you, Flats ⬆️) Here’s one of your fellow reader’s responses:

Send us your best ideas for Pittsburgh rites of passages, and we just might shout you out in an upcoming podcast 📣

🎶 Summer Fridays at the Frick | Friday | 6:30 p.m.

Relax on the North Lawn, grab dinner from food trucks, and enjoy live music at the ninth season of Make Music Pittsburgh. [free, Point Breeze]

🌙 Night Market | Friday-Saturday | 5-10 p.m.

Shop for artisan crafts, fashion, art, jewelry, photography, and small batch food items from local vendors in Market Square. [free, Downtown]

🌈 Queer Craft Market | Friday | 5:30-9 p.m.

Wrap up Pride month by supporting local LGBTQ+ makers, artists, and creators at the Union Project. [free, Highland Park]

Sports Have No Age Limit in Pittsburgh

Maybe you played sports in middle school, or maybe it took another 20 years before you found something fitness-y you actually enjoyed. For the more than 10,000 older athletes on their way to Pittsburgh for the 2023 National Senior Games next week, it’s a mixed bag! Nancy Brown, coveted volleyball hitter and president of the Senior Olympics of Western PA, explains the community (diverse) and competition (fierce), plus what it takes to find and pursue a sport in your 50s, 60s, and beyond.

Want to see the Senior Games, including basketball, archery, cornhole, and more — and cheer for the Western PA teams in person? Check them out for free July 7-18 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.